Based on your interest in Assurance Wireless, you probably know a thing or two about the Lifeline Assistance program, right? As one of the leading providers specialized in serving Lifeline-eligible clients, Assurance Wireless continues to deliver free government phones and free service.
In today’s article, we will focus on Assurance Wireless SIM cards. We will answer the ‘Can I put my Assurance Wireless SIM card in another phone?’ question along with many others.
Since Assurance Wireless switched from being under Virgin Mobile to T-Mobile ownership, there has been some changes and we want to keep you updated.
To make things as straightforward as possible for you, we decided to structure this article in a Q&A manner. This means that there are some of the most common questions listed below and, of course, you get to find the answers to those question under each question.
So, are you ready to learn if you can put your Assurance Wireless SIM card in another phone? Let dig in, shall we?
Can I Use My Assurance Wireless SIM Card With Another Phone?
Officially, Assurance Wireless still doesn’t offer a ‘Bring Your Own Phone’ (BYOP) option, which is usually a prerequisite for users to be able to use Assurance Wireless’s SIM card with other phones.
With that in mind, officially, you are not able to use the Assurance Wireless SIM card with other phones. However, there are many customers, who have reported using another phone with an Assurance Wireless SIM card.
So, if you have an Assurance Wireless SIM card and an unlocked device, you can always try inserting the SIM into the device. If the phone accepts the SIM card and successfully connects to the Assurance Wireless network, you should have no problem using it. To ensure that the service really works, text and call one of your contacts. If you can get those two functions working, you are basically covered.
Which Phones Are Compatible With The Assurance Wireless SIM Card?
Officially, the only phones that are compatible with Assurance Wireless SIM card are the phones that are offered by Assurance Wireless for free or as an upgrade. This includes various entry or mid-range level smartphones. Some of the common phone models, include Alcatel Onetouch Cinch, ANS Rapidz, Alcatel Dawn, ANS UL40, ANS Wiko Life, ANS Wiko Life 2, Coolpad Avail, Coolpad Illumina, Coolpad Legacy GO, Coolpad Legacy SR, Kyocera JAX S1360, Kyocera Hydro Reach, L51, Unimax U673c, Unimax U683CL, Unimax 693, ZTE Prestige 2, ZTE Quest, ZTE Quest Plus, and ZTE Tempo X.
Now that we have covered official Assurance Wireless phones, we’d also like to tell you that non-officially you may be able to use any unlocked phone with Assurance Wireless SIM card. With that in mind, you can always try inserting your Assurance Wireless SIM card in an unlocked phone available to you and see if it connects to the Assurance Wireless network (see the previous section).
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Can I Transfer My Assurance Wireless Number To Another Phone?
Generally speaking, the majority of wireless providers these days let you port in your existing number. That means that no matter how frequently you decide to switch your providers, you are able to keep your existing number and Assurance Wireless is no exception here.
However, keep in mind that it is not only up to Assurance Wireless to enable you to transfer your number. To be able to transfer your Assurance Wireless number to another phone, you need that phone provider’s approval as well.
Moreover, as long as you are switching phones (devices) and staying with the same provider, keeping the same number is not an issue.
In addition, you may also port in your existing number, when you are switching to Assurance Wireless. Of course, you need to qualify and be approved first. Here’s how:
Once you receive your Assurance Wireless phone, you simply contact their customer care at 1-888-321-5880. A representative will help you keep your current number. Just make sure to call from a different phone and have your account number and password from your previous carrier at hand or memorized.
How Do I Switch My Assurance Wireless SIM Card To Another Phone?
Note: Officially, Assurance Wireless does not offer the ‘Bring Your Own Phone’ option, which means that they encourage you to use their SIM card and thus their services with their devices. However, (as per the above two sections) you may try using their SIM card with other SIM-capable (all phones made after 2015) devices.
Switching Assurance Wireless SIM card is no different than switching any other SIM card. It is very simple and here are the steps:
- Turn of your Assurance Wireless phone.
- Open the SIM card slot (in phones that have removable batteries, the SIM card slot tends to be located underneath the battery; for a phone with non-removable batteries, the SIM card slot tends to be accessed from the side of the phone using a special SIM-slot opened tool (a paperclip will also do the trick).
- Take the SIM card out of the SIM card slot.
- Open the SIM card slot on another phone and insert the SIM card. Make sure to position it properly.
- If applicable, reassemble the phone and turn it on.
- If asked for the PIN number, enter it.
- Once your phone turns on, it will automatically connect to Assurance Wireless network or you may be required to enter the settings > network and try to connect manually.
- If the phone is able to connect and if you can perform the basic actions (accepting and making a call), you are able to use the Assurance SIM card with that phone.
Do I Need To Back Up My Phone Before Switching SIM?
Generally speaking, switching SIM card is a safe (completely noninvasive) procedure that does not require prior phone back up.
However, if you want to be on a safer side, you may back up your device prior to this action. Moreover, if your contact list is not too long, you may always use your SIM card to store your contact on it and thus immediately have it on the other phone. To do so, you will need to access your phonebook settings, select all contacts and save them to your SIM card. The exact steps vary from phone model to phone model.
When You Change SIM Cards Do You Lose Everything?
As explained in the previous answer, the SIM card change is not an invasive procedure. With that in mind, you shouldn’t lose anything by switching SIM card.
However, keep in mind that in the past most of the data was stored on the SIM card, which meant that you’d automatically be transferring data with your SIM card. However, these days most of the data is stored on the phones, which means that when you transfer your SIM card to another phone, all your messages, photos, videos, and in most cases (unless you’ve been saving your contacts to your SIM card) even your contacts stay in your previous phone.
Luckily, there are many apps and other ways to easily transfer data from one phone to another. We will cover that as we move along.
Read one of our past articles How To Replace Assurance Wireless Phone
How Do I Active Assurance Wireless SIM Card?
Below are the most common steps for Assurance Wireless customers to activate their phones and thus get access to Assurance Wireless services.
If you were mailed an Android™ Smartphone (in most cases phones are mailed to applicable customers), complete the steps below to activate your Assurance Wireless device:
- Press and hold the Power Button to turn on your phone. Allow hands-free activation to connect the phone to our network and then allow the phone to check for any updates. The phone will power off.
- After the phone turns back on, it may ask you to customize your phone. You may need to skip the setup screens and complete Step 3 first.
- Dial 611 and follow the recorded directions.
- When prompted, enter your Assurance Wireless Account PIN – it can be found at the top of your Assurance Wireless approval letter.
Customers who sign up with a representative (in person) will receive help with the activation process.
Note: Your Account PIN is very important. You’ll need it to activate your Assurance Wireless phone, add money to your account (if applicable), check your account history or add more minutes or additional services such as Monthly Data packs or international calling at great rates.
What Problems Arise After Assurance Wireless Activation?
Commonly, there are no problems with Assurance Wireless activation. As long as you follow the steps above, you should have no issues.
However, we all know that sometimes electronics seems to have the mind of their own, thus it is good to know what to do in case of any issues.
So, if you encounter any problems during the activation process or in general, feel free to contact the Assurance Wireless customer support at 1-888-321-5880.
Does Assurance Wireless SIM Card Unlock?
The most correct answer is YES. However, please read the following details to avoid any confusion and to learn how to go about unlocking your Assurance Wireless device.
There is a lot of misunderstanding when the ‘phone unlocking’ is discussed. As such, we want to clarify some things.
Phone unlocking or SIM unlock doesn’t refer to screen unlocking or entering SIM’s PIN code. The ‘phone unlocking’ refers to the process of making phone originally locked to certain network operable with other networks. In our case, an Assurance Wireless phone would be operable with other SIM cards and thus other carriers after being unlocked or SIM-unlocked. To be very specific, Assurance Wireless calls this Domestic SIM Unlock (DSU).
Now days there is a general unlocking policy based on a nation-wide law set in place, which dictates that every device may be unlocked when certain criteria is met.
Note: Assurance Wireless will only activate devices certified to work with Assurance Wireless services. Assurance Wireless cannot unlock phones provider by other carriers. Assurance Wireless may refuse any unlock request that would result in an abuse of these policies or is part of an effort to defraud Assurance Wireless or its customers. These policies are subject to change at Assurance Wireless’s discretion without advance notice.
General Eligibility for Unlocking
Assurance Wireless will unlock a device under the following circumstances:
- The device has not been reported as lost or stolen or otherwise flagged as ineligible to be unlocked.
- The device has been active on the associated account for at least 12 months.
How to get Your Assurance Wireless Phone Unlocked?
If you believe you meet the above requirements and would like to request that your DSU-capable device be unlocked and/or request the MSL Code, contact Assurance Wireless Customer Care by dialing 1-888-321-5880.
What is the Assurance Wireless SIM PUK Code?
Every SIM card comes with its PUK number or PUK code. The PUK stands for Personal Unblocking Key and is used to reset PIN (Personal Identification Number) code. So, in case you mistype your PIN number 3-times or forget it completely, you may use PUK to reset it.
You’d actually be surprised how many people forget PIN numbers. As such, it is important to keep your PUK number at hand in case that happens to you.
What is the APN for Assurance Wireless?
APN stand for Access Point Name and is something the majority of average users do not need to know about. However, if you want to be able to set certain settings on your own, you may want to read the text below.
An APN is the name of a gateway between the 4G mobile network (also GSM, GPRS, 3G) and computer network connecting to the public internet. The APN is used to identify the PDN (packet data network) that a mobile data user wants to communicate with.
To get the step-by-step instructions on how to set APN for Assurance Wireless properly, use your search engine and enter ‘wireless APN for assurance wireless’.
What Network is Assurance Wireless On?
Assurance Wireless runs on Sprint’s network, which has been acquired by T-Mobile back in 2020, so there will be additional transitioning to T-Mobile network in the future.
Are Assurance Wireless Phones Unlocked?
All Assurance Wireless phones come originally locked to the network. However, as we’ve covered previously, the Assurance Wireless has a specific unlocking policy set in place, which enables users that have met the criteria to request the unlocking.
Can I Use The Same Sim Card On Two Different Phones?
If phones are unlocked and also compatible with that particular SIM card, you may switch it among those phones as much as you want. Of course, keep in mind that as the law of physics limits a SIM card to be present at the single location at a single point in time, you may use it only with one phone at the time.
How Do I Transfer Everything From My Old Phone To My New Phone?
These days there are several options to transfer data among devices. There are many tools that enable you to do this with ease and very fast.
Of course, the exact tools available will depend on the type of phone you are using. Androids have many third-part apps available, while iPhones offer official Apple tools.
Keep in mind that the data transfer process will be the easiest if you are performing a transfer between the two phones of the same brand.
Probably the trickiest method is when you want to transfer data from Android to iPhone or vise versa.
Aside from using specific data transfer apps, such as ‘Phone Clone’, you may use your computer, or various cloud storage services.
There are simply too many options for us to cover the specifics of each herein, so make sure to use your search engine skills to find the best method for your particular phones. Remember, you can always ask your phone provider for assistance. If you are switching operators, make sure to ask for help the ones you are transferring to and not the ones you are leaving behind.
Do you want to learn more about Assurance Wireless Upgrade Phones
Is Safelink Wireless the Same as Assurance Wireless?
No, Safelink and Assurance Wireless are not the same. They are both focused on providing services for Lifeline-eligible households, however, Assurance Wireless remains a more superior of the two.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve gotten to this point, you can surely answer the ‘Can I put my Assurance Wireless SIM card in another phone?’ question. Not only that, but you also know a lot more about SIM unlocking, BYOP, and other commonly confusing terms.
Moreover, you know that Assurance Wireless does not have it BYOP option set in place, though this doesn’t need to stop you from using the Assurance Wireless SIM card with third-party devices.
Enjoy your Assurance Wireless service and treat your phones and SIM cards with caution and care. Stay safe!
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